January 10, 2025: The political temperature in the capital soared on Friday as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal launched a fierce attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of neglecting Delhi and turning it into the “crime capital of India.” Speaking at a rally ahead of the crucial Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, Kejriwal alleged that BJP’s “hatred” for the people of Delhi is the reason it has been out of power in the city for 25 years.

“Delhi has become unsafe for women, with robberies, chain snatchings, and gang wars becoming rampant. BJP hates the people of Delhi, and this neglect has turned the city into a haven for crime,” Kejriwal claimed. He promised that if AAP forms the government, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) would be empowered with funds to hire private security guards to enhance neighborhood safety, stressing that this initiative would complement, not replace, the existing police force.

Kejriwal also targeted BJP’s recent campaign strategies, accusing the party of using divisive tactics, particularly concerning Purvanchal voters. "BJP has become a dharna party now. Yesterday, I went to the Election Commission to complain about their attempts to cut votes of Purvanchal residents by spreading misinformation in the name of Rohingyas," he stated.

The AAP leader’s remarks sparked a strong reaction from BJP supporters, who staged a protest outside Kejriwal’s residence on Feroze Shah Road. Chanting slogans and demanding an apology, the demonstrators condemned Kejriwal’s statements about Purvanchal voters. The situation escalated when police deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd, further intensifying the political clash.

With the elections just weeks away, the row over Purvanchal voters has added fuel to the heated political contest between AAP and BJP, leaving Delhi residents at the center of this high-stakes battle.